Week of June 16, 2026

At the time of this writing, the long-awaited US-Iran ceasefire has not been signed but has been agreed upon. The ceasefire is brokered by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and also includes Israel and Hezbollah, who are entrenched in Southern Lebanon. He said, “Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”

With the coming agreement, Israel claimed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would not withdraw from Southern Lebanon, a buffer zone that has been created to remove airborne weapons from being launched into Israel. While Israel is suspicious of Hezbollah respecting the ceasefire and not attacking from southern Lebanon, an IDF source has stated that they will not attack in Lebanon if Hezbollah does respect the ceasefire.

Hours before the ceasefire agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to once again target the Dahiyeh neighborhood of Beirut in Lebanon, a Hezbollah stronghold and command center, in response to prior Hezbollah fire aimed at Israeli territory. President Trump wrote, “This morning’s attacks should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a peace deal with Iran.”

Please pray for continued calm and peace with Hezbollah on Israel’s northern border and with Iran.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Widows and Orphans Organization (IDFWO) recently held a special evening to honor and award more than two million shekels ($690,000) in grants to widows and orphans of those who have fallen while serving as security personnel for the State of Israel. The IDFWO was founded in 1991 and legally represents 18,000 widows and orphans. These widows and orphans are families of fallen personnel that includes those in the IDF, police, Shin Bet, Mossad, prison services, and emergency responders. The services the IDFWO offers are financial, emotional, and social support, and they advocate for families in the Knesset and government institutions. Their financial scholarships are given to recipients to increase their higher education options; they also participate in community involvement, offer social contribution for bereaved families, and even give wedding gifts for those who have started new families. They offer resources to families that allow them to participate in counselling, workshops, summer camps, family vacation, and community initiatives.

Since the start of the Swords of Iron war in 2023, the organization has received 358 new widows and 908 new orphans. Attorney Zehava Gross Meydan, chairwoman of the IDFWO, said, “The support we provide at the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization is not merely financial assistance; it is a declaration of faith. We believe in you, in your strengths, and in your potential to lead, influence, and shape the future of Israeli society. This year, we are proud to present wedding gifts to those who established a home in Israel, alongside salute grants to those who wore the uniform, proudly carried the flag of service, and went out to defend the country. For us, this is the profound meaning of true companionship—to be there for you during the moments that shape life, future, and hope”.

Please pray for the fallen security personnel’s widows and orphans as they mourn their lost family members.

New information says that Israel’s secret deployment of dozens of elite forces in Azerbaijan, which borders Iran, brought Israeli troops close to 60 miles away from Tabiz, a large Iranian city, during last year’s June war with Iran. Originally, the commandos and Mossad forces were stationed to act as rescue teams in case an Israeli jet was shot down, but soon the mission expanded to include intelligence gathering and operating drones. Early in the war, these Israeli forces took out the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Special Operations Division, who was responsible for recruiting and training new recruits as well as the acquisition of intelligence on Israeli political leaders, security personnel, Israeli ports, and ships.

Please pray for other unknown Israeli bases and operatives that are covertly stationed around the world, that they would protect the people of Israel and of neighboring countries while collecting information on those who seek to destroy them.

Recently in Israel, Chosen People Ministries gathered forty young adults and some of our Israeli staff for a weekend of excellent Bible teaching, worship, and fellowship—it is a program called “Living Waters” that takes place every late spring. It is a unique time to get away from the regular schedule and busyness of life to spend quality time in the Word, prayer, and time with family or friends. This year, there were a few that came straight from their reserve duties along the northern border or border with Gaza while others had to report for duty as soon as the conference was over. As time was spent in prayer for people’s requests, it was evident that many were feeling tired or burnt out and were grateful to be together. Each person who came is uniquely involved in ministry within their congregation, such as serving with youth or young adults’ group, worship teams, evangelism, or discipleship. This group truly is a representation of the growing and maturing body of believers in Israel. Please keep them in your prayers, and for the hundreds like them that are young adults serving the Lord with their whole heart, mind, and soul.

Please pray for these incredible young adults as they seek to serve and share about Jesus with others!

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